The title reflects a mantra within this periodically socially unacceptable protagonist. Afton Morrison is an educated, competent small town children’s librarian, more than capable of presenting an intelligent and patient twenty-six-year-old woman within the pseudo-academic life of Wakefield. She has quashed the animus within her successfully (whom she has named, quite appropriately Animus)…until now…when the demand to kill meets reason and she’s found the perfect victim. Afton can both satisfy that persistently deranged alter-ego while ridding the public of a vicious sexual predator.

Afton has an older brother, Chris, a good looking macho six-footer, for whom she carefully saves books to take home that he might enjoy. He exhibits none of her complexity or baggage. Neither is he aware of the extent of hers. Afton possesses a soft, caring side while secretly harboring dark and sarcastic thoughts, profane, possibly giving the bent to that masculine side. Afton takes little Neil under her wing when her mother doesn’t pick him up at closing time and becomes enraged when Tia is violently assaulted. She wears that mask, while pulling the wool over the other’s eyes with her sardonic wit.

Afton does tolerate co-worker Pete and (even enjoy) seventeen-year-old Kim, a high school senior and a volunteer at the library. Kim is so easily manipulated. There is no problem with Afton holding her own. She exudes strength and independence. She is also deliciously dangerous. She has stalked Kenneth, prepared meticulously, and is ready to kill. But there is a problem; someone may be stalking her.

The author deftly crafts Afton’s personality, alternately portraying a children’s librarian and the stalker preparing to kill her first target, plying the tension in bits and pieces until almost intolerable. Supporting characters weave in and out of this well-plotted serial novella, introducing little twists and turns. Distraction. And behind it all, that shadow, that dark secret that manifests into a being that will continue to torment Afton, the Man in Shadows.

We don’t get Afton’s whole story, which is written in first person so the full effect of animus comes through, but the reader is confident in her intentions.NOTE: dialogue and description are written intensely profane, supporting the animus personality; Afton is no girlie-girl, although she tends to flare at obvious sexual harassment-innuendo. Hers is a complicated, multi-faceted personality, in whose life we’ve peeked. She is surrounded with interesting, albeit lower-key characters who mainly exhibit “what you see is what you get.”

The narrative, however, seizes your attention with page one and feeds little truths, little pearls, and pretty soon you are flipping pages right into the cliff-hanging conclusion. The story is a captivating thriller that’ll have you gripping your device, though be aware it also contains sensitive subjects. Afton characterizes herself as a survivor and can be as harsh on other women as the men she deems intellectually inferior. Whether or not she will succeed as a vigilante remains to be seen. The author provided an ARC ebook of this novella and I appreciated the opportunity to read. This review is entirely my own. Recommended for any who enjoy a strong thriller-suspense, no holds barred. In the meantime, the suspense is killing.

Rosepoint Publishing: Four of Five Stars

The Author: (From Amazon Author page) From bad checks to bathroom graffiti, Brent Jones has always been drawn to writing. He won a national creative writing competition at the age of fourteen, although he can’t recall what the story was about. Seventeen years later, he gave up his career to pursue creative writing full-time.

Jones writes from his home in Fort Erie, Canada. He’s happily married, a bearded cyclist, a mediocre guitarist, and the proud owner of two dogs with a God complex. Subscribe to his newsletter (AuthorBrentJones.com) or follow him on social media (@AuthorBrentJ) for updates.

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Author: Rosepoint Publishing

I am the granddaughter of Patrick John "Stanley McShane" Rose whose books including "Cocos Island Treasure" I've recently published. My time is now spent in reading, reviewing, and writing bookish articles. I'm looking forward to sharing this social media odyssey with you!
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I read lots of books, from mythology retellings to literary fiction and I love to reread books from childhood, this is a place to voice my thoughts for fun. I also like to ramble about things such as art or nature every now and again.

My aim is to create an extensive portfolio of my writing, featuring a range of different articles, reviews and pieces of my own writing/thoughts. I love to write about many different subjects and have a passion for Music, Books, Film & TV, Journalism, Marketing and Creative Writing/Poetry.